Chapter 73
By the time we get back to the house, the sun is already slipping down.
I thank Aaron and head inside without waiting for him to say anything back. My body feels very heavy and drained.
All I want is my room and to be in my bed.
I take the stairs slowly, one hand on the rail. Halfway up, I already start thinking about kicking my shoes off and lying down fully dressed. I don’t even care I just need to rest.
When I reach my door, something feels off immediately.
It’s open.
I stop and frown then push it wider.
The room is empty.
Not tidied nor rearranged or anything like that, it’s emptied out.
My bed is stripped of its covers, the drawers are pulled out and bare. The chair by the window is gone. The little things I leave scattered without thinking, my books, my charger, the sweater I always throw over the lamp, all gone.
For a second, my brain refuses to catch up. I just stand there, staring, like maybe if I wait long enough it’ll make sense on its own.
I walk into the bathroom.
Same thing.
No toothbrush, none of my skincare, no towel hanging crooked on the hook like I always leave it. Even the damn bath mat is gone.
My chest tightens and the anger comes fast and hot. It cuts through my exhaustion ln a jiffy.
I turn and storm back out of the room, down the hallway, down the stairs, not bothering to slow myself this time.
Zane is halfway up from the ground floor when I see him.
“Where the hell is my stuff,” I snap before I’m even fully at the landing.
He looks surprised and caught off guard like he didn’t expect me to be back yet.
“You’re home early,” he says.
“Where is my stuff,” I repeat, louder this time.
He exhales through his nose like I am annoying him. “I moved it p>
“You did what p>
“I moved it to my room p>
I laugh once but it’s short and and doesn’t have any humor in it. “Excuse me p>
“We’re sharing a room now,” he says, like he’s explaining the weather.
I stare at him. “Who the hell do you think you are to make that decision p>
His jaw tightens slightly, but his voice stays even. “Your husband p>
“That doesn’t give you the right to touch my fuckign things Zane” I say. “That doesn’t give you the right to take over my space p>
“You don’t need your own room anymore p>
“I absolutely do, I need space from you p>
He steps down one stair so we’re eye level. “You don’t get a choice p>
My hands curl into fists. “I am not sleeping in the same room as you p>
“You are p>
“No, I’m not p>
He tilts his head. “I’ve already had the locks changed, the locks to your room p>
“What p>
“Your old room will be locked,” he says. “You won’t be using it p>
Something ugly twists in my chest. “You can’t and won’t tell me what to do p>
“I am not telling you what to do” he says. “I’m just keeping you where I can see you p>
I snap. “That’s controlling Zane p>
“I’m sorry little spitfire you’ll have to deal with it p>
He looks at me then turns and walks out on me. The fucker!. The fucking fucker Screw him p>
I angrily match towards his room, when I get there I stand there for a long moment, just breathing him in.
The room smells like him, that woodsy scent he has. His cologne clings to the air, to the sheets, to everything and it makes my skin crawl.
I walk to the bed and press my palm into the mattress, It’s softer than mine was
I open the closet and my clothes are there, arranged neatly.. My shoes lined up beneath his, smaller and out of place.
He didn’t just move my things. He organized them.
I slam the closet door shut and move to the bathroom. Same story. My skincare lined up on the counter, my toothbrush beside his. Two towels hanging side by side like this is normal.
I grip the edge of the sink until my knuckles ache.
I’m too tired to scream and too tired to cry. The anger is there, sitting heavy in my chest, but it doesn’t have anywhere to go.
I strip out of my clothes and step into the shower, turning the water on too hot. I let it run over me until my skin burns a little.
I scrub harder than necessary, like I can wash the day off.
When I’m done, I wrap myself in a towel and step back into the bedroom.
He’s there.
Leaning against the doorframe his arms crossed.
I freeze.
“How long have you been standing there,” I ask.
“Long enough,” he says.
“Get out p>
“No p>
When he doesn’t move, I grab the first thing I see, an oversized T-shirt from my folded pile, and pull it on. It hangs to mid-thigh. No bra or panties.
“I’m not sharing a bed with you,” I say.
“You are p>
“I’ll sleep on the floor.
“You won’t p>
I laugh. It’s hollow. “You’re really enjoying this, aren’t you p>
His eyes flick over my face. “No p>
“Liar p>
He pushes off the doorframe and walks in.
“You’re safer here,” he says.
“I didn’t ask you to protect me p>
“You don’t get to ask p>
I climb onto the bed and pull the blanket around myself like a shield. “You’re controlling p>
“Call it what you want p>
I turn away from him, facing the window. “I hate you p>
He’s quiet for a second. Then, “That’s fine p>
The mattress dips behind me as he sits.
“I’m not touching you,not now at atleast. I won’t do that until you’re writhing and begging me to. “For now you sleep. That’s all p>
My throat tightens. “I didn’t agree to this p>
“You dont have to p>
I don’t sleep right away. I lie there stiff, counting my breaths.